Carpet-sweeper



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN P. ROWELL, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS.

CARPET-SWEEPER.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 21,701, dated October 5, 18581.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, STEPHEN P. RowELL, of Reading, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Machine for Sweeping Carpets; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1, denotes a top view; Fig. 2, an underside view; Fig. 3, a rear elevation of said machine; Fig.l fl, a transverse and central section of it; Fig. 5, a transverse section taken through its main gear; Fig. 6, is a longitudinal section taken through its brush.

In the drawings, A, represents the case of the sweeper, it being open at bottom, and carrying a cylindrical brush B, such brush being applied so as to be capable of revolving within the case and on its axis and of working against an apron or spring plate C, arranged in the case or the lower part thereof, as shown in the drawings.

Then the sweeper is in use, its case is supported on the floor by means of two wheels, D, E, one of which viz, D, is a gear wheel and engages with a pinion f, fixed on the brush axle. The rotary motion of the said gear caused by friction against the carpet and by moving the machine along over the carpet puts the brush in revolution toward the inner edge of the apron or spring plate before mentioned and brushes the dust from the carpet and upon the said apron.

A carpet sweeper constructed with a rotary brush to operate or be operated as described is not new, but I have applied to it certain improvements. In the rst place, as the brush of such a carpet sweeper has been unprovided with any means by which it could be raised or lowered with respect to the spring plate or apron in order that proper adjustment of the brush to the apron according to the wear of the brush or other circumstances; and at the same time, proper engagement of the gearing for operating the brush. I have furnished the carpet sweeper with such appliances as will be hereinafter described. Furthermore, I have so applied its rear pan or dust receptacle to the frame or case as to enable such pan or receptacle to be turned outward and upward with the side of the case for the purpose of readily discharging any dust or matters which may have accumulated withinthe said receptacle.

In carrying out my invention I Support each journal, a., within a curved rack, b, applied to slide wit-hin a curved groove, c, arranged within one end of the frame or case and concentrically with the axis of the supporting wheels. Furthermore, I apply to each rack and within its end of the case, a worm or screw (l, in such manner that by rotating such screw on its axis it shall cause the curved rack to move longitudinally in its support-ing groove and at the same time maintain the axis of the brush at a proper distance from the axis of the supporting wheels to secure the engagementof the main gear wheel and its pinion. Furthermore, I apply to the rear part of the frame, or case, a hinged lap or door g, or attach such rear part, g, to the rest of the case by hinges, It, 71., so as t-o enable it to be turned outward and upward into the position indicated in Fig. a, at g, and I att-ach to the inner side of the said turning flap, a dust trough or receiver i, arranged with respect to the brush as shown in the drawings, the same being to catch any dust which may be thrown forward by the upper part of the brush. By means of such appliances, it will be readily seen that any little wear of the brush will notl require such brush to be discarded and another substituted, for in this improved carpet sweeper, as the brush becomes worn, it may be adjusted or let down toward the apron, the connect-ion of its pinion and main gear being always preserved,

I claim,

l. In combination with the brush and its main operating gear, devices substantially as described for adjusting the brush and maintaining its axis at the same or at its proper distance from the axis of the gear in order to maintain the gear in engagement with its pinion as specified.

2. I also claim the application of the rear dust receptacle to the frame so as to be capable of being swung or turned upward and outward therefrom substantially in manner and for the discharge of dust as specified.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature.`

STEPHEN P. ROVVELL.

Witnesses:

CHARLES W. YOUNG, RICHMOND HEsEL'roN. 

